Local Leaders of Education

Stuart Pope

I came to Cooks Spinney Primary and Nursery in September 2013 as Deputy Head. It became very clear that there were deep lying issues at the school and it was in fact considered to be a failing special measures school by the OFSTED that came in the same month I arrived. Upon conversion to Burnt Mill Academy Trust, I was asked to become Head. I quickly set about securing rapid and sustained improvements in all areas from teaching to safeguarding, and finance and HR. I worked tirelessly to promote the improvements with the community and change the perception of the school within the town. I identified talented staff and gave them clear career paths to leadership, alongside very careful recruitment, as I shaped the staff team I needed to move the school forward.

There were many tough decisions and conversations along the way and Cooks Spinney is now established in the top 5% of schools nationally and provides a high quality education for all it’s pupils. I am now Executive Headteacher as I continue to build partnerships and collaboration across multiple sites in an outward facing manner so we can continue to support and grow together. I am also leading a new provision for SEMH as well as working with other schools in the town. I believe that we are all collectively responsible for the standard of education we offer.